Vibratory massage apparatus



.'May 10,1932. J, s, LANG 4 L@ VIBRATORY MASSAGE APPARATUS Filed May 5, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 may E932, 5 LANG @19%5892 VIBRATORY MASSAGE APPARATUS Filed May 5. 1927 4 SheebS-Slie 2 May l0, 1932. J. s. LANG VIBRATORY MASSAGE. APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 5. 1927 E Tr:

W R CMx/LQM/L w ELI ATTECQELJS May 1o, 1932. J, s, ANG 1,858,209

VIBRATORY MAS SAGE APPARATUS Filed May 5. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May 10, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES S. LANG, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS; OLD COLONY TRUST COMPANY EXECU- TOR OF SAID JAMES S. LANG, DECEASIED` VIBRATORY MASSAGE APPARATUS Application led May 5,

The present invention belongs to that class of curative agencies in which the vibration of the parts is utilized to stimulate the flow of blood through the tissues, bringing about a more healthful condition thereof, or to relieve pain or nervous tension by the vibration of the proper areas.

The object of the invention is to enhance the value of tissue vibration, in an improved manner by the use of periodic or rhythmic variations in air pressures, either above or below the atmospheric normal. Another object is to provide an apparatus for repositioning displaced parts or tissue byV air pressure and then subjecting them to vibration in their normal position so that they may remain in that position. Another object is to provide an apparatus for stimulating the flow of blood and the nourishment of the parts by the application of a rhythmic vacuum. Another object is to provide an improved means of mechanically vibrating the body tissues.

It is well known that a vacuum applied to the surface of the body will draw the blood to the parts. The application of a continu ously applied vacuum will however distort the parts and by drawing the tissues together will to a certain extent hinder the movement of the blood in them. I therefore apply in the present invention an intermittent or rhythmic vacuum which allows the tissues to periodically separate thus facilitating the movement of the blood to the parts with a less degree of vacuum than would otherwise be required and consequently with less discomfort.

The invention can best be seen and understood by reference to the drawings in which- Figure 1 is a side view partly in vertical section of the apparatus. y

Fig. 2 is a section of an alternating detail.

ig. 3 is a plan of the apparatus.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation, and

Figs. 5 to 9, inclusive, are a set of graphs illustrative of various vibratory effects obtainable by the apparatus, as will hereinafter be referred to.

Referring to the drawings:

11 represents an air container `having an air chamber or passage 12 within it. rIhe container 11 functions also as a valve control panel as the various valve controls are mounted upon it. Leading from the container and lowerend of the air passage 12 within it, is an outlet communication 13 consisting of a fiexible tube the free end 14 of which isy provided with any one of applicators suitable for 'use on various parts of the body which it is desired to treat. As shown in the drawings the tube is provided with an applicator 15 suitable for treatment of the ear drum.

The periodic or rhythmic'air pressure Huctuations are obtained Within the container and in its outletcommunication by means of air-displacing mechanisms 16, 17 and 18, respectively, fixed to the combined air container and control panel 11. The air-'displacing mechanisms 16, 17 and 18 are of similar construction, each mechanism consisting of a cup-shaped member 19 which is closed across its outer edge or rim by an elastic diaphragm 20, which is held in place by a clamping ring 21. The chambered interior of each of the members 19 beneath its diaphragm connects with the chambered interior or passage 12 of the air container, to which end the member 19 of the air-displacing mechanism 16 is provided in its base with a port 22 which registers with a port 23 in the air container, leading` to the interior thereof. Likewise the air-displacing mechanism 17 is provided with a port 24 connecting with a port 25 in the air container, and the air-displacing mechanism 18 with a port 26 which registers with a port 27 in the air container.

The several diaphragme are actuated in the following manner: To the centres of the diaphragms are fastened the ends of connecting rods 28, 29 and 30, respectively. The other ends of these rods are pivotally fastened to cranks 31, 32 and 33 respectively and are operated by them. The cranks 31, 32 and 33 are carried upon rotatable cross shafts 34, 35 and 36 respectively which also are provided with worm gears 37, 38 and 39y as shown in Fig. 3. These worm gears are driven respectively by corresponding worm gears 40, 41 and 42 which are carried by the rotatable shaft 43. The shaft 43 is driven from any suitable source of power as through the grooved pulley 44 or other adequate method.

It is seen from Fig. 1 that as the gears 37, 38 and 39 are driven from the common shaft 43 and differ progressively in gear ratio; the gear 37 will rotate at the slowest speed, 38 at an intermediate speed and 39 at the highest speed. From the drawings it is also seen that the crank 31 has a greater throwithan crank 32, which in turn has a greater throw than crank 33. Therefore as the shaft 43 is rotated the diaphrams 20 in the displacement mechanisms 16, 17 and 18 are oscillated back andforth in the cups 19 alternately coinpressing and expanding the air in them. From the relations as to stroke and speed before pointed out it is therefore seen that the fluctuation in air pressure in the displacement mechanism 16 will resemble line 1 shown in Fig. 5; that the fluctuation in air pressure in displacement mechanism 18 will resemble line 3 in Fig. 6; and that the fluctuation in air pressure in displacement mechanism `17 will resemble line 5 shown in F10. 7.

s previously explained, the bases of the displacement'mechanisms are provided with openings 22, 24 and 26 which register with corresponding ports 23, and 27 respectively in the panel 11, and through which ports the displacement mechanisms are in working communication with the passage 12 in the interior of the panel. The panel 11 is also provided with control valves46, 47 and 48. These valves are arranged to register with the respective ports 23, 25 and 27, being arranged on the panel on the other side of the passage 12 in the panel-so ,that as the valves are turned down or closed the several ports will be closed by the-valve or one or more of the portsmay be closed as one oranother of the valves is-turned down, thus cutting out the air-displacing mechanism which would otherwise operate through the cut-out port. Thus with valve 47 closed and the other valves open fluctuation approximately similar to 7 shown in Fig. 8 will be produced while with all the valves open a luctuation approximately similar to9 shown in Fig. 9 will be produced provided the escape of imprisoned air in the air container or panel .and its outlet communication is prevented by the contact of the applicator l5 with theperson.

,Reference will now be made to the means of controlling the air pressure or vacuum utilized bythe apparatus:

If no air is allowed to escape from. the apparatus and theapplicator is held in contactwith the body with all the displacement mechanisms 16, 17 and 18in operation, the

imprisoned air will approximate line 9, Fig.

9, in its fluctuation with its average'pressure indicated byv line 50 which represents approximately atmospheric pressure. In a similar way if mechanisms 16 and 18 only are in use, and no air is allowed to escape, the average pressure in the device is indicated by ]ine 51 in Fig. 8 which represents approximately atmospheric pressure with fluctuations part of the time above and part of the time below it.

' In: order to-produce a vacuum an inwardlyclosing Lvalvularwdevice is provided. The valve 48 previously referred to is made tubular-in form and carries on its outer end rigid arms 52 to which is attached by suitable means a flat strip of rubber 53 which in its the machine will exceed .in pressurevthatof the outside1 air and some air will 4vpassvout ythrough the checkvalve, reducing the quantity of air inthe machine and. making` .the average air pressure .lowerthan that of the atmosphere. This .condition wouldbe approirimately represented by the `line 9 in Fig. `9 with the atmospheric pressure:represented by the line 55, or in case mechanisms 16 and 18 only were in use, by-theline-in Fig. 8 withthe atmospheric pressure'represented by the line 56. It will benoted in the slow operation of themachine cited, the. maximum` pressureinside the machine will exceed atmospheric pressure' by only the amount necessary to permit the flow of air outward through the check and which by proper adjustment of Vthe check may be very slight indeed. l

If now the machine be operated at its normal speed, one at which the diaphragm of mechanism 18 vibrates hundreds of times per minute, the air discharged from mechanism 18 passes through the port 27 at a very high velocity, andimpinges directly into thetubular body of valve 48. -As the inertiav of the air column is quite high, at the velocity at which this air jjet is moving, a considerable pressure will be built up against the rubber strip 53 allowing an escape of air even though the-pressure ofthe air` in chamber 12 at its maximum lis much below that of the outside air. The intensity of the vacuum maintained in the machine is vtherefore'to a certain extent independent of the ratio of displacement volume to rtotal lvolume inlll closed, but is also a function of air velocity and inertiaon its exterior is adjustable as to the port 27 and may be moved closer to or farther away from the influence of the air jet passing therethrough, accordingly varying to a certain extent the intensity of the vacuum produced.

It will therefore be seen that with the inwardly-closing valve in full operation, with the machine running at full speed, the fluctuations of the inclosed air-will approximate line 9 in Fig. 9 with reference to line 10 representing atmospheric pressure when all the mechanisms 16, 17 and 18 are operating, a fairly strong vacuum being maintained at all times in the interior air 'system of the machine. In case 16 and 18 only were in use then the fluctuations of the enclosed air will approximate line 7 in Fig. 8 with reference to line 8 representing atmospheric pressure.

F or certain treatments it is desirable to use a less degree of vacuum than will be produced with the inwardly-closing valve located so near the high speed mechanism 18. 1n such cases the valve 48 isV uns'crewed from the panel and the hole in the latter closed by a solid plug having corresponding thread and a valve 57 controlling an auxiliary passage 58 is opened. Connected with the passage 58 by a threaded connection is a supplementary inwardly-closing valve 59 identicalin,operation with valve 48. The valve 59 is provided with a central passage 60 through it with orifice 61 leading to the atmosphere. This orifice is covered by a strip of rubber 62 and the rubber strip is held in position by a suitable retaining band 63 surrounding the body of the valve. Inasmuch as the valve 59 is located at a greater distance from and somewhat out of the influence of the high speed displacer 18, the average vacuum resulting from its use will be of less intensity, and it may be further regulated by manipulation of' i the shut-off valve 57.

Having shown how `the vacuum is maintained and regulated in the air system ,within the machine, the means of con 'eniently regulating the amplitude of the fluctuations in the air pressure will now be considered:

T'he amplitude of the variations in air pressure within the apparatus is a function of the ratio of displacement volume to the total volume of the inclosed air system, and

it may be altered by changing either one of` tively by way of ports 71, 72 and 73 with the The valve 48 being threaded` chamber orl passage 12 in the aircontainer or panel. The ports 71, 72 and 73 are controlled respectively byv valves 74, 7 5 and 76 in the panel. Thus itis conveniently possible by manipulation of the valvesv 74, 75 or 76 to throw any one or all of the supplementary chambers 65, 66 and 67 into communication with the passage12 and thus add their volume to that of the rest of the inclosedair system. If greater amplitude ofair fluctuation is desired, valves 74, 75 and 76 are closed and if less air fluctuation is desired one or more of the valves 74, 75 or 76 are opened cutting in one or more of the supplementary air chambers.

If, as will later appear, it is desirable to have the air fluctuations take place at a pressure higher than that of the atmosphere, the apparatus may be so adjusted as to bring about that-effect. To that end there is provided an inlet check valve 80 the interior construction of which is shown in Fig. 4. This checl valve is similar in principle to the other two mentioned. In it 81 is the controllable orifice leading from the atmosphere.

through the valve and by way of a passage 82 to connect with the passage 12. The passage 82 is controlled by a valve 83. The orifice 81 is covered by a strip of flat rubberv84 held in place by a flat spring 85 which bears" against the ends of the rubber'. strip holding it in position, also, pressing at its mid portion against the opposite inside wall of the valve body at the point 86. Leading to the orifice 81 is an attached tube 87. W'ith this ar-` closed and valve 83 is opened, and when the machine is operated under these conditions, air or medicated vapor drawn in through tube 87 is delivered to the applicator tube 13 under a fluctuating pressure higher than that ofthe atmosphere as for example the line 9 in Fig. 9 in which the line 88 represents atmospheric pressure.

Under certa-in co-nditions it is also desirable to deliver medicated vapors from an external source which is itself under pressure in a pulsating manner to the delivery tube. For this purpose l provide a plain tubular'inlet 89 leading from an intake tube 90 to the passage 12, and controlled by the valve 91. Medicated vapor may be introduced from any source under pressure through the tube 90 which will then be delivered through the passage 12 and the delivery tube 13 in rapid pulsations as desired.

As'previously stated, the applicator or de- Y llivery tuheiend 414 .is` sho'vvnffltted' ,with an applieatortl suite'dforause inthe eXternal ear. Thisapp'licatoris of special designlas it is'importantforthe.comfort of. the patient that the applicatorfit perfectlyinthe earand 'itselfhe free from vibration. The end por- :tion 92of the applicator'extended by a skirt f93is approximately cone-shaped4 so that when placedinftheear thesides ofthe cone will. effectively contact with the .innersurface Vof `the ear opening or meatusregardless ofits size.. .Adjoining thebase of the cone'82v1s another oppositely-formed conical portion 94, kadjoining -Whichis asmaller sized and relatively thick walled neck section 95. The device is.constructed of soft .rubber or other Velasticmaterial- In using itithe conical portion- 92 isrintroducedinto the'ear opening as `farasit will-enter added pressure will'then distortlb'othfthe conical surfaces 92 and 94, ,tending to iatten the 'cones and increasing :the diameter tof the device, thus making a "very-.closetinthe ear opening regardless of itsxf shape 'or i size.

Inthe treatment oftheeaiafas before inti- -mated,fthe applicator -sh'own is first firmly -inserted'r into the externalear opening.. 'lf the The drum-vibrated from the insideby attaching a .eustachian catheter to the end-ofthe applicaftortube '13. Pressure is-applied for moving 'the eardrum'intoa correct position to which -endthe valve 48'is removed and replaced b v a :solid plug andthe lvalve '57 closed. v'cated vapor isfthen introduced into the mafchin'ethroughthe kpipe 86 byway of the inlet -che'ck valveSO ifthe medicated vapor be suplpli'ed atvatmospheric pressure, or, if it be sup- Mediplied under heavier pressure then it maybe supplied directly into the machine by way of the intake tube 90.

'Foritreatment of the scalp'a heavy'vacuum is desirable and the valve 48-inay be used with Sa heavy elastic cap; for skin treatment a less 'degree'of vacuumis desirable and the inlet check159'may'be employed in place ofthe check'48. Forfspinalmassage a vacuum cup may-be used having some elasticity in its 'walls and the machine used with the supplementary chambers 65, 66 and 67 and, if desired,rdisplacement mechanisms 16 and 17 cut oflig'iving a very powerful single phase massagewith intense vacuum of theV com.- 'bine'd intertissue and mechanical'types.

rgsssgaoe If vthe machine is to be subjected to'such hardv continuous usage as to-makefA the replacement of diaphragmsQO burdensome theremay :be substituted 'for'them in the displacement odic or rhythmic compound lpneumatic fluctuations and for producing pressure fluctuations the average of whiclrdiffers fromithat of the atmospheric pressure.

Having thus fully'described my invention, I claim .and desire to secureby Lettersl Patent of the United States 1. A vibratory apparatus .comprising an air container having an air conductor leading therefrom withapplicator'carried by it, a plurality of air displacing mechanisms connecting withl said air containerfor producing on operating said mechanisms mass vibrations of the air of different- 'frequenciesj in said air vcontainer and air conductor therefrom, a vacuum-forming mechanism for producing on operating said mechanism a partial vacuum in said container,all ofwhich mechanisms co-operating with Ione another whereby mass vibrations of the| airlpro'duced by the operation of said air displacing mechanisms will be superp'osed on one another andthe average thereof will bebelow vatmospheric pressure, means for operating said mechanisms, a. supplemental air chamber in communication with thel interior of said air container, and means whereby said'supplemental air chamber may be cut in or'out.

2; A vibratory apparatus comprising an air container having an air conductorlea'ding therefrom with applicator carried lby it, a vibratory air displacing mechanism for effecting mass vibrationsY Vof the air within said air container and air conductor therefrom, an inwardly-closing valve arranged to prevent admission of air into the air container but permitting of the escape'of'air therefrom when the air within the air container is subjected by the displacing mechanism to Vsuch rapid mass vibration that the air due to its inertia will act to open the valve, 'and means whereby the air displacing'mechanism may be vibrated with such rapidity that the valve will be openedby the air as aforesaid;

'3. A vibratory apparatus comprising 'an "air container having an air conductor leading therefrom with applicator carriedby it, a vibratory air displacing mechanism for effectingmass vibrations of the air within the air container and air conductor therefrom, an -inwardly-closing valve arranged to prevent admission of air into the air container,

but opening to permit escape of air from the air container when subjected to air pressure therein above atmospheric pressure, means whereby during the vibration of the air displacing mechanism a compression of air above atmospheric pressure will be obtained in a zone adjacent the air displacing mechanism, said Valve being located Within said zone, and means for vibrating the air displacing mechanisms. y

4. A Vibratory apparatus comprising an air container having an air conductor lead- Y ing therefrom With applicator carried by it,

a vibratory air-displacing mechanism for effecting mass Vibration of the air Within said air container and air conductor therefrom, and means whereby a partial Vacuum may be obtained Within said container and conductor therefrom by the operation of said air-displacing mechanism.

JAMES S. LANG. 

